Politics
CSO Wants Kaduna Budget To Address Poverty, Inequality
The Budget Research and Development Policy Advocacy Centre, a civil society organisation, has called on the Kaduna State Government to work toward addressing poverty, unemployment and inequality in its 2020 budget.
Its Executive Director, Dr Elisha Auta, made the appeal in an interview with newsmen in Kaduna, while reacting to the state’s 2020 budget processes.
According to him, if budget cannot reduce poverty, unemployment and inequality issues, then the budget process becomes merely an academic exercise.
“The government have been executing projects outlined in the state budget for the past four years and we have not seen much in terms of how it has affected the lives of the commonman.
“The state government said in its Development Plant 2016 to 2020, that when it took power in 2015, the absolute poverty rate in the state is 60 per cent.
“This is four years ago, and we still have no idea where we have moved in terms of reducing poverty and creating jobs.
“Therefore, as the state prepares yet another budget for year 2020, we want to see how the budget is performing in terms of reducing poverty and in terms of creating jobs to reduce unemployment.
“We also want to see how the budget is reducing inequality gap.”
Auta, who is also a lecturer in Economics Department, Kaduna State University, noted that the concern of the government should be delivering jobs and ensuring social security.
He added that this could only be achieved through good governance, transparency and accountability.
“We need to know how the budget is performing, not in terms of how much was spent, but how it is impacting on the lives of the people.
“Some people see the budget as an economic document, while others view it as a political document.
“But in reality, there is a political and the economic aspects of the budget and one must not overshadow the other.
“If the government allow the political aspect of the budget to dominate the economic aspect, then we will not get anything substantial in terms of economic growth and development.
“Because it is these economic growth and development that will impact on the lives of the people,” Auta added.
During a press conference held in Owerri, the coalition called the campaign a “dangerous and shameful display” designed to distract the public from the governor’s performance in office.
The CSOs directly linked the Greater Imo Initiative (GII) —the group that made the allegations on September 4, 2025—to Governor Uzodimma, describing the group as his “mouthpiece and attack dog.”
“Every word spoken against INEC was spoken on his behalf.
“By falsely alleging that Professor Yakubu has an alliance with Dr. Amadi to compromise the 2027 elections, Uzodimma has not only maligned a man of proven integrity but also assaulted the very foundation of our democracy”, said Dr Agbo Frederick, speaking for the coalition.
The coalition described Professor Yakubu as a “beacon of electoral professionalism” and called the attempt to soil his reputation “defamatory and a national security risk.”
They also defended Dr. Amadi, a “respected development scholar,” stating that the governor’s accusations were “laughable, desperate, and dangerous.”
The CSOs see the motive behind the campaign as an attempt to “silence the dissent, intimidate the opposition, and divert attention from the governor’s abysmal record in office.”
The coalition issued four key demands to Governor Uzodimma: An immediate retraction of the false and defamatory allegations against Professor Mahmood Yakubu and Dr. Chima Amadi.
- A public apology to both men within seven days, to be published in at least three national newspapers and broadcast on major television networks.
- An end to diversionary tactics and proxy propaganda.
- A renewed focus on governance, including addressing insecurity, unemployment, and poverty in Imo State.
The CSOs warned that failure to comply would force them to “review our position with a view to seeking legal redress from Governor Uzodimma for defamation, false accusation, and reckless endangerment of lives.”
“Governor Uzodimma must be reminded that he did not find himself in the seat of power to chase shadows.
“We call on all Nigerians to reject Uzodimma’s diversionary antics as they are nothing short of desperate plots by a government terrified of accountability”, the statement concluded.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC expressed concern that preventing the senator from resuming her legislative duties violates democratic principles and disenfranchises her constituents.
“The suspension, having been imposed by the Senate and not a court of law, has lapsed. Any further attempt to prevent her from resuming is therefore both illegal and morally indefensible,” Mallam Abdullahi said.
The party noted that denying Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan access to the chamber silences the voice of the people who elected her, adding that the withdrawal of her salary, aides, and office access during the suspension amounted to excessive punishment.
The ADC also criticised the Clerk of the National Assembly for declining to process her resumption on grounds that the matter was before the courts, arguing that the Clerk’s role was administrative, not judicial.
“Administrative caution must not translate into complicity. When the administrative machinery becomes hostage to political interests, the institution itself is diminished,” the party stated.
Highlighting that Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan is one of only four women in the 109-member Senate, the ADC warned that the handling of the case sends a discouraging signal about gender inclusion in Nigerian politics.
“Any action that resembles gender intimidation of the few women in the Senate would only discourage women’s participation. Nigeria cannot claim to be a democracy while excluding half of its population from key decision-making spaces,” Mallam Abdullahi added.
The ADC insisted that Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan be allowed to resume her seat immediately, stressing that the matter was about more than one individual.
“What is at stake here is not just one Senate seat, but the integrity of our democracy itself,” the party said.